-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (02-03-02) | Dune III House Atreides Handbook | Dune III 2.0 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Table of Contents 1. History 1.1 Elemental Facts of Atreides History 1.1.1 Atreides Emblems and Heraldry 1.2 Atreides Timeline 1.3 Recent History of House Atreides 2. House Character 2.1 Common Atreides Traits 2.2 View of Religion 2.3 Opinion of Non-Landsraad Factions 2.4 Atreides Government 3. Discussion of the Homeworld 3.1 Atreides Homeworld, Ecology and Economy 4. Faction Members 4.1 The Atreides Siridar 4.2 The Living Members of House Atreides 4.3 Members of the Atreides Household 5. Faction Protocols 5.1 Addressing the Atreides Siridar 5.2 Addressing Other Members of the Atreides Family 5.2.1 For Atreides Women 5.2.2 For Atreides Men 5.2.3 Other Titles and Honorifics 5.3 Diplomacy of House Atreides 5.3.1 Opinion of Other Houses 6. Contact Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1. History --------------------------------------------- 1.1 Elemental Facts of Atreides History We Atreides have a long and noble lineage and can trace our lineage back for a thousand generations, back to Terra and the ancient Terran city of Mycenae, where House Atreus reigned supreme. Our illustrious history is the guide that we have used to find out way through the darkness of Time. Our ageless traditions, honored over and over again by each succeeding generation, are our anchors and guides, and each Atreides name is a star in a brilliant, wide-spanning constellation. Demetrios Aiolos Atreides was granted the Barony of Tantalos because of his victory in the Battle of Corrin and founding the base for what has today become known as House Atreides. We were steadfast in our defense of the Lion Throne; it was during these years that the implication of the advances that the Spacing Guild had passed on to the Known Universe, and the three cornerstones of our society, Guild, Imperium and Landsraad were truly formed. Other important historical facts of this time period is that Demetrios Atreides charged Abulurd Harkonnen with cowardice during the Battle of Corrin, which saw House Corrino ascend the Lion Throne. Abulurd was banished and only Ivan Harkonenn was able to petition the new Emperor for leniency. This is the source of the 10,000-year grudge that has ever affected both Houses; yet due to peace overtures made by Petr Harkonnen to House Atreides in recent years have hostilities decreased somewhat. The Empire once again honored our ancestors in 207 when Thomas Erastos Atreides was made Duke of Jaddua for helping to restore Elrood II to the Lion Throne, thus achieving our honored state of House Major. Through skillful negotiations, honor and a wily fortitude we have successfully transversed the millennia to the present day. --------------------------------------------- 1.1.1 On Atreides Emblems and Heraldry The symbol of House Atreides is a stylized hawk in silver, profiled against a field of pine green. The hawk emblem has its wings outstretched, the head turned and beak slightly opened. The colors of the Atreides heraldry are, in order: green, silver, black; these colors are used in standards, flags, wearable insignia, seals and official stationary. Only the ducal family may wear the green-and black sash. --------------------------------------------- 1.2 Atreides Timeline Before Guild (BG): 88 Demetrios Atreides made Baron Tantalos for valor in aiding Sheuset I defeat the massed Landsraad fleet at the Battle of Corrin. After Guild (AG): 207 Thomas Atreides made Duke of Jaddua by a restored Elrood II, ending the First Protectorate. 389 Emperor Corrin III, overthrown by Saudir Harkonnen, restored to the Lion Throne with the aid of Polidor Atreides. 1604 Phillipos Atreides declares Kanly on Abulurd IV Harkonnen. Abulurd is killed soon afterwards. 1978 Creon II Atreides wins the gold medal in the Imperial Games by triple-jumping 23.12 meters. 3449 A Guild Heighliner is lost while folding space, with Polidor IX Atreides and most of the family heirlooms on board. 3745 Eros I Atreides killed while alpine skiing. The Atreides rule is briefly interrupted until Paulos VIII reaches maturity. 5420 Theseus II Atreides named Protector of the Imperium during the Third Protectorate. He serves the Landsraad with honor for twenty years. 5449 Theseus II, Siridar-Duke Atreides of Jaddua, Lord Protector of the Imperium, dies in his sleep. The Landsraad votes him a state funeral with full honors and a period of mourning of three months. His descendants style him Fourth Founder of the House of Atreus. 5952 'Inquiry into the Cause and Emergence of Social Structures', written by Phillipos III Atreides, earns scholarly praise and becomes the definitive text on the subject for the next three millennia. 6920 Iolos VI Atreides decrees the 'Eleytheria Nomiki' laws, which frees all slaves on Jaddua, regardless of origin, and makes slavery illegal in Atreides fiefs. This is the first general manumission emitted in the history of the Imperium; many other socially-progressive Houses follow suit. 7331 To win a friendly wager with Emperor Avelard XII, Eros III Atreides recites the entire 'Lied of the Battle of Corrin' from memory, in just under 17 hours. Avelard XII orders a commemorative one-solari coin minted as payment. 7799 Earl Tlacael of House Xochpili declares Kanly on Phaedron Atreides. The combined political pressure of the allies of the Atreides forces Tlacael to accept settlement in the form of a single citruswood figurine. 8711 House Atreides awarded Caladan as Siridar-fief by Emperor Shaddam II. 8724 Pundi rice first traded "on the board" as CHOAM commodity, cementing Atreides economic viability. 8795 Medon IX Atreides builds Castle Caladan to his own design and specifications. The dedication ceremony draws over 1 billion people from all over the Imperium. The festivities last an entire year. 9816 Theseus IX Atreides dies from a violent allergic reaction, without male issue. His ninety-year-old cousin Peleon, an Imperial Church monk, refuses the Duchy. 9817 Xenon Elezar, a noble with remote Atreides heritage, marries Theseus IX's daughter; by Imperial decree, their first male child will assume the Duchy. Peleon Atreides leaves monastic life and sues for his rightful title before the Landsraad. Landsraad Congress overturns previous decree. The Elezar clan revolts. 9820 The Fifth Founder of the House of Atreus, Democlitos, is born to 93-year-old Peleon and Princess Carola Corrino. 9843 Democlitos Atreides kills cousin Xenon II Atreides- Elezar in single combat, ending the Elezar Revolt. This is the only instance on record of an Atreides hand spilling Atreides blood. 10,003 Medon XIV Atreides is born on Caladan to Eugenios VI Atreides and the Lady Sandra, Bene Gesserit Sister. 10,021 Minotauros XX is struck by lightning and killed. Medon becomes Duke. 10,039 Medon Atreides marries Lady Andrea Mikheli of Marcinko. 10,041 A minute change in Caladan's climate upsets the second and third harvest cycles. Exports of pundi are cut to ensure domestic supply, which causes a cancellation of the pursuant CHOAM contract. The House economy collapses. 10,043 Thrown into despair, the CHOAM representative for House Atreides commits suicide. A confidential CHOAM inquiry reveals the House is deeply in debt. 10,044 Praxton Atreides born. House Atreides and the CHOAM restructure the Caladan Contract. The House accepts an unfavorable settlement in return for a chance to rebuild their finances. 10,046 Irene Atreides born. She dies soon after birth, of heart failure. 10,060 Medon Atreides accepts peace overtures made by Baron Petr Harkonnen. A nine-year suspension of the Kanly and an eighteen-year armistice is agreed on. This 'gentlemen's agreement' permits House Atreides to end their reconstruction and avoid demise. The state of detente with House Harkonnen persists to this day. Margot Atreides born out of an affair between Medon Atreides and Silene Meganon. the duke and father of Silene agree to keep the child of the union safe and unaware of her bloodline until well after Duke Medon's death. 10,065 Mintor Atreides born. 10,084 Medon Atreides dies, after a long illness of the throat. Praxton Atreides becomes Duke. 10,088 Andrea h. Atreides dies of natural causes. 10,089 Praxton elected to the Landsraad High Council. 10,096 Sparked by rumours of an arranged marriage between an Atreides and a Harkonnen, a mutiny in the officers corps end in a bloodless coup that exiles Praxton and pits the recently returned Margot and Mintor head to head. Timely intervention of the Emperor, Landsraad and Bene Gesserit prevent civil war, electing Margot the new Siridar Duchess. 10.099 Margot, by now Siridar duchess announces she will announce her successor soon after a failed marriage attempt to Lord Rinaldo Moritani. --------------------------------------------- 1.3 Recent History of House Atreides It is no secret that our House had been in decline for several generations. Complacency and a privileged relationship with House Corrino had shrunk our sphere of influence to near zero. For the decade of 9990, both measurable signals of House Major status, Landsraad votes and CHOAM shares, were at scandalously low levels. The only thing that remained unchanged was the mostly favorable opinion that the Landsraad Houses held about our House. It was Duke Medon Atreides XIV (10003-10084) who renewed and revitalized our House. From the age of 17, until a long and painful throat affliction claimed his life at 81, he was tireless in his efforts to salvage what was left of Atreides power, rebuild and grow from there. Under his aegis, the economy of Caladan was restructured; House bureaucracy trimmed; fief contracts husbanded into CHOAM grants; foreign policy reworked, with an emphasis on retooling relations and increasing trade. His relentless efforts garnered a power base from which our House has built upon. Na-Duke Praxton Atreides was installed as Duke after his father's death; with the aid of a bright and dedicated staff of retainers, he scored a major victory in 10089 when he was elected to the Landsraad High Council. From that position, our House is poised on the verge of renaissance, growth, careful building of our presence and our reputation among the Great Houses of the Landsraad. However as time passes things do not go at all as planned. In the year 10,096 a lot of thing cumulate into a crescendo that will eventually lead to a change in things. Margot Atreides, the daughter of Silene Heleneaus-Megaron and duke Medon Atreides makes her appearance on Kaitain, 12 years after the death of the natural father she has never known and totally oblivious as to who or why summoned her. At the same time rumour starts spreading that duke Praxton and his old college chum Boris Harkonnen have struck a deal to end Kanly and seal the rift between the two houses with an arranged marriage. Upset officers decide this must not come to pass and stage a swift and decisive coup. Fearing Mintor will push on the policies of his brother the coup leaders decide to declare Margot as the Atreides to swear their fealty to. Margot's first years of reign herald a period where house Atreides on theone hand seeks out alliances with many other houses and restructuring their relationships with houses minor, creating an openness unheard of since the days of ancient Terra. On the other hand a lot has been going on behind closed doors. most noteworthy something called "Operation Smokescreen" During the elections Atreides becomes a victim of Kaitain intrigue and loses its position on the Landsraad High Council, but retaining a strong support within the Landsraad itself. This reflecting in the fact that many great houses still veer towards them for alliance. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2. House Character --------------------------------------------- 2.1 Common Atreides Traits The members of our House tend to be honest, courteous to all regardless of station, fair, honorable, prudent, loyal, courageous, strong-willed and ruthless in careful measure. Negative traits most often exhibited by members of House Atreides are soft-heartedness, naiveté, irritability, pride, stubbornness and self-righteousness. These traits are observed, in varying degrees, in all members of the our family, and in a large majority of their household. Our House has a knack for attracting trustworthy people of similar values, and winning their loyalty. Thus, there is little or no political in-fighting within House Atreides. --------------------------------------------- 2.2 View of Religion We Atreides tend to a humanistic view of religion: if it does not benefit man, it is useless. We are not completely impious, however; we turn to religion as solace in times of hardship and encourage others to do so. Our House in general, like most of the Imperium, reveres the principles of the Butlerian Jihad and is knowledgeable about the Orange Catholic Bible and the teachings of the Zensunni. The main influx of religion often is brought into the family through marriage. the Atreides way of rule being more focused on the benefit of man than the fear of god. --------------------------------------------- 2.3 Opinion of Non-Landsraad Factions We tend to treat the non-Landsraad organizations with fairness, respect, and caution. Relations are never strained, though often not cordial, particularly with the Guild, who are distrusted for their reclusiveness and secrecy. Bene Gesserit are respected as an organization for their spirit of service, but not much confidence is ever placed on them individually. When they share with us, we will share in return. When they shield their motives we will do the same. Atreides values its bond with the Bene Gesserit sisterhood but will try to adopt a quid pro quo attitude in all their dealings with the women of Wallach IX. We have had infrequent contact with Ixians, although their ingenuity and the usefulness of their products is honored. Still we remain wary of this ingenuity for it might lead us back to the machineminds if we do not stay vigilant. Bene Tleilaxu are quietly reviled; we tend to consider Tlielaxu wares filthy and distasteful. their intentions are an affront to life and decency and remind us of the things the machineminds did to bring the human race to the brink of extinction. Atreides will whenever possible avoid concert with these fanatics. Smugglers are a duality of our society. While some will trade for the pure and simple reason of profit others are driven to it by the imperfections of the empire. We Atreides feel we must judge every smuggler on his own merits or flaws, not encourage nor discourage and, if possible provide means to leave this existence if it is proven the man in this profession did not break any law beyond the law of smuggling. No formal denouncement or pogrom is ever taken against them. --------------------------------------------- 2.4 Atreides Government Like all Landsraad Great Houses, we rule as lords over the populace. We will ask for the aid and council of other nobility of a lesser station but will not rely on them to govern our people. What Atreides do, Atreides will take responsibility of. Those minor houses that have cast their lot in with us we treat as allies, never as vassals. We represent them in the Landsraad, but if a minor house feels their path does no longer coincide with that of Atreides we will allow them to dissolve the political bond between both houses. This stems from the awareness that we are in no way superior to the ruled except in responsibility. Good governance and social justice are paramount values among the House; nothing is more despised than a tyrannical and exploitative ruler. We treat those of lesser station with respect; we cherish our servants and treat them well; because of this we almost always have a loyal and dedicated staff. This relationship with others is key to our House; it has cultivated and brought about talents within our staff that might have otherwise been squandered. Atreides justice towards the people is exemplary, renowned over the entire Known Universe: it is scrupulously fair, swift and impartial, with the sternest punishments reserved for corrupt bureaucrats and piratical industrialists. We try to champion what some would call the righteous and will do so as zealots. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3. Discussion of the Homeworld --------------------------------------------- 3.1 Atreides Homeworld, Ecology and Economy The House has ruled in fief-apparent over Caladan since 8711, when the Emperor awarded us the Siridar-Dukedom. Caladan is a planet rich in ecological resources, with forests and wide grasslands, rolling hills and pastoral plains. Unique among its plant life is the pundi grass, which is native to Caladan; it resembles Terran wheat in height and life cycle, with a smaller, elongated grain that grows in clusters like sorghum. Domesticated varieties routinely yield 500-1 per agricultural cycle, using modern methods. Pundi rice is chaffed, then sifted (the smallest grains are used as seed), then ground into meal, or fried lightly in butter or oil, or popped inside a clay jar then boiled into mush. Pundi rice, and dishes prepared with or from it, are ubiquitous in the Caladanian diet, from sharecropper to Siridar. Every Caladan-born person is weaned on pundi mush (pempos), gorges as a child on candies made from pundi and yam-sugar (caramela), gets drunk as an adult on fermented pundi spirits (iskoinos), sops up whalemeat or cabbage-and-cheese soup with pundi bread (fomi)... the versatility of the starchy, slightly salty grain is enormous. It has been jokingly said that a Caladanian must always carry with them a pouch of pundi in case they were stranded in the wilderness, as without it they would certainly die within the week; the Caladanians present smile self-deprecatingly and nibble on their pundi cakes (pita). Other, less essential products and industries of Caladan are: citruswood, a beautiful timber of intricate swirls and patterns, used as furniture paneling and the raw material of an almost infinite number of Caladanian crafts; whaleskin, used in apparel and musical instruments; glazed pottery, stoneware and mosaics; writing instruments; kokkinos, a prized red dye; hydroponic fertilizers and high-grade einsteinium, which provides most of the nuclear fuel used to power Caladan. The population of Caladan is of medium density. There are about twenty cities of important size, four major spaceports and nine cosmodromes for intrasystem commerce. Roughly 12% of the planetary surface is given over to ecological reserve, and another 13% is virgin wilderness. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 4. Faction Members --------------------------------------------- 4.1 The Atreides Siridar Her grace Margot I, Siridar-Duchess Atreides of Caladan. Her exact birthdate is unknown but one is sure she was born in the year 10060. Daughter to Duke Medon XIV Atreides and Lady Silene Megaron, later to be known as Lady Silene Helenaeus-Megaron. Aged 39, unwed. The new duchess is really an enigma. Her reign has only just begun and such opinions are still being formed. Never expecting this turn of events to happen within her life she has trained in the art of imperial law, serving as a legal attache for her stepfather she assumed was her real father until the news came to her of her true nature. Who revealed this to her is still a mystery, but rumours point in the direction of the lion throne or the power behind it. the lady Margot seems to act with hesitation but seems to gain more willpower and competence in her task as she slowly grows and fills the void left by her brother Paulos 'Praxton' Atreides after the bloodless coup of 10096. Her demeanor is kind and naive in most subjects but imperial law. Here she shows remarkable skill. Beyond that she is attentive of her council that she treats with the respect of peers. --------------------------------------------- 4.2 The Living Members of House Atreides -Lord Mintor Atreides, younger brother of the Duchess and Atreides Swordmaster, b. 10065. Traditional name, 'Minotauros'. Dynamic, over-achieving, and extroverted, Mintor is a sharp contrast to his older, more sedate brother. He is the first Atreides man in ten generations to make Ginaz Swordmaster. He is just now entering the service of his House, where he face new and perhaps deadlier challenges. during the coup of 10096 for a brief period Mintor and Margot were on opposing sides of a growing divide, until they settled their differences through unknown mediation, reuniting the house. -Lady Charlotte Atreides, aunt to the duchess and head of Atreides diplomacy, b. 10052. Younger sister to Medon Atreides. She took a keen interest in fencing and became quite the athlete as well as a practiced equestrian. Above all else, she was trained in diplomacy, politics and history so as to better serve the house in any capacity she could, often accompanying her father or brother on trips off world. At the age of 19, she met and fell in love with Count Darian DarLeken and two years later they were married. Their courtship, while looked on with some skepticism due to the distance in rank between the two and their families was filled with love and romance. Four years into their marriage , Charlotte gave birth to their first child, Sveena, most happily. Both parents had wanted a child much earlier, but the wait had been worth while. The family thrived and five years later Charlotte happily bore her husband a son, Brad, who was welcomed with open arms as joyously as Sveena had been. Returning to Kaitain in 10098 she took on the post of chief diplomat. -Lady Sveena DarLeken-Atreides, cousin to the Duchess, b. 10077 Sveena is the eldest daughter of Count Darian DarLeken and Countess Charlotte Atreides (Sister of the Former Duke Atreides). She is heir to House DarLeken, a Minor House sworn to House Atreides, the main wealth of the very wealthy house is deep core mining and drilling. Sveena herself is an owner of a gem mining company on her home planet of Delken, the seat of House DarLeken. She seems to be in Kaitain on holiday. Other information that is known: She had one younger brother and spent much time on the Atreides home world of Caladan. -Lord Brad DarLeken-Atreides, cousin to the Duchess, b. 10082. Brad has been born on Caladan, the home planet of the Atreides. He was born to his parents Count Darian DarLeken and Countess Charlotte Atreides. He has lived most of his life on Caladan, undergoing Mentat training, in which he dislikes. He dropped out and went to Delken for a few years to work in his parents’ mines. He then found a talent of diplomacy, which helped made ten fold the amount of the original production the mines were having. He went to Kaitain to visit his elder sister, Sveena, on Kaitain. To avoid going back to Caladan to undergo more Mentat training, he feels it would be best to make Kaitain his home. But will the pressure of having Brad go back into training succumb? --------------------------------------------- 4.3 Members of the Atreides Household -Lord Darwin Heleneaus, half-brother to the Duchess, b. Darwin is the first legitimate child to be born to Lord Merton Heleneaus, current lord of Helaneaus III (a House Minor of the Corrino family) and Lady Silene Heleneaus-Megarone (of House Atreides). He has a younger sister (Ariel) upon whom he dotes shamelessly. From his birth he was groomed to be the next Siridar of Heleneaus. When Darwin was 16 he was enrolled in an off-planet academy, a combination finishing school and military academy for the children of great and lesser houses. The decision was made that on his graduation he would not return to the familiar confines of the House compound, but would instead apprentice with his half-sister Margot in the house Atreides Mission on Kaitain. During his time there he is expected to learn the workings of a House, the management as well as the leadership and the cement his family's ties to the rising Atreides. -Lady Emilia Olivia Cleomenes, Companion, b.10075 Ambitious, hardworking, and dedicated to restoring her family's place in the Imperium, Lady Emilia comes to the Atreides Court hoping to learn how to run a noble household, while looking after House Cleomenes's interests. A studious young lady, she spent much of her earlier life studying Imperial Law and diplomacy on Kaitain, and has a sharp and observant mind. Hailing from the Atreides fiefdom of the Dalta on Tantalos, she's largely unknown to the noble circles of Kaitain, except as the daughter of old Horace Cleomenes. A determined young woman, she should prove to be a valuable addition to the Cleomenes's line. -Master Lucas Tolbert, Warmaster, b. 10046 The son of a military instructor on a far-flung colonial world, Tolbert grew up learning the basics of military affairs. While not the most gifted person to be in the field, he attained a great deal of aptitude, landing several guard positions in minor houses. Eventually, his eyes turned elsewhere, and he wandered for many years, serving various house and dignitaries. As his father's age advanced, they both found their way to Caladan, working with local farmers. Tolbert eventually found his way to the Atreides guard, working his way through the ranks slowly, his potential finally being tapped. -Master Ian Halbrook, Mentat, b. 10057 Ian was born into a family where his mom was a bureaucratic worker and his father a winemaker for House Atreides. As a child he was very bright and very adept at understanding others. All through his childhood he read books, took an active interest in the arts and did falconry for fun, winning many competitions and awards. When Ian turned 20 in 10077, he was sent by House Atreides to faraway Neuran to become a Mentat in a special school to become a Master of the Mind, where Troubadour Mentats are also taught. In 10093, he became a full-fledged Troubadour Mentat. Contact with House Atreides had been severed years in the past, so he decided to stay on Neuran as an instructor. As an instructor he had many hours of time to devote to enhancing his Mentat abilities, and became an accomplished Master of the Mind. In 10099, when he learned of the mishap years in the past in researching the different Great Houses of the Landsraad, he decided to fulfill his longtime dream of serving House Atreides and offered his services, as he never forgot where he came from. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 5. Faction Protocols --------------------------------------------- 5.1 Addressing the Siridar-Duchess The protocol used for addressing the Duchess is as follows: - Most formally (i.e., very rare occasions of highest state), 'Her Grace Margot II, Siridar Duchess Atreides of Caladan.' The proper style is 'Your Grace'. - Less formally (state occasions), with non-Caladanians present, 'Duchess Margot Atreides'. Address as 'Milady Duchess.' - Less formally, (state occasions), with only Caladanians present, 'Doukissa Margot Atreides'. Address as 'Clarissima'. - Familiarly, with non-Caladanians present, 'Duchess Margot'. Addressed as 'Milady', or alternately, 'My Duchess'. - Familiarly, with only Caladanians present, it is common practice to revert to Aglicon, simply Margot. No special mode of address is required. --------------------------------------------- 5.2 Addressing Other Members of the Atreides Family --------------------------------------------- 5.2.1 For Atreides women (currently, the Lady Charlotte and the Lady Sveena) The protocol used for addressing female family members (in this example, the Lady Charlotte) is as follows: - Most formally (i.e., very rare occasions of highest state), 'Countess Charlotte Ann Darlekan-Atreides'. The proper style is 'Countess Atreides'. - Less formally (state occasions) with non-Caladanians present, 'Lady Darlekan-Atreides'. Address as 'My lady'. - Less formally, (state occasions) with only Caladanians present, 'Kuria Charlotte Atreides' addressed as 'Charlotte'. In the case of Lady Sveena, she is to be addressed as 'Sveena'. - Familiarly, with non-Caladanians present, 'Lady Charlotte'. Addressed as 'Lady' or alternately, 'My lady'. - Familiarly, with only Caladanians present, simply 'Charlotte or Lotte'. No special mode of address is required. --------------------------------------------- 5.2.2 For Atreides men (currently, Lord Darwin Heleneaus, Lord Mintor Atreides, Lord Brad Darlekan-Atreides) The protocol used for addressing male family members (in this example, na-Earl Heleneaus) is as follows: - Most formally (i.e., very rare occasions of highest state), 'His Lordship Helanus, na-Earl Heleneaus of Heleneaus III.' The mode of address is 'Your Lordship'. - Less formally (state occasions), with non-Caladanians present, 'Na-Earl Darwin Heleneaus'. Address as 'My lord.' - Less formally, (state occasions), with only Caladanians present, 'Kurios Darwin Heleneaus'. Address as 'Clarissimus'. - Familiarly, with non-Caladanians present, 'Lord Darwin'. Addressed as 'Sire'. - Familiarly, with only Caladanians present, it is common practice to revert to Aglicon, simply 'Darwin'. No special mode of address is required. --------------------------------------------- 5.2.3 Other Titles and Honorifics Several Aglicon words have become titles for use in occasions of ceremony and state. These are seldom used in common speech. For diplomats, 'Presbeutes' For House Guard officers, 'Archegos' For Suks, 'Didactoras' --------------------------------------------- 5.3 Diplomacy of House Atreides House Atreides has historically dealt openly with the other Landsraad Houses, maintaining an integrity and honor that has allowed it to rise to the influential position it occupies today. Usually honest, frank, and fair in their dealings, the phrase 'we support men, not Houses' has brought much popular support to the House itself. The Atreides are also known for their wariness of dangerous situations, and are always careful to maintain their neutrality till the entire battlefield is known to them. They will not employ trickery as a standard tactic, but delaying and hedging of promises may be used in order to buy time for a more informed decision to be made. 5.3.1 Opinions of Other Houses: Alvstad: A mercantile House, they have remained neutral throughout most conflicts, and as a result have gained a significant amount of wealth. Possessing a sense of morality that emphasizes some personal indulgence moderated by social responsibility, they are paradoxically both worthy of trust but also bear careful watching. They are, however, respectably neutral in most conflicts. Recently Atreides and Alvstad find each other in the same corner when it comes to matters dealing the imperial throne, a development that can go any way. Corrino: The Imperial family, with its 10 votes, poses a problem to the Landsraad, as its great wealth and its political hegemony could jeopardize the delicate balance of power between the Landsraad and the Imperial Throne should they gain more support besides that of House Harkonnen. Historically, they have officially remained above inter-House disputes, but unofficially they may be relied upon to try and increase the balance of power in their favor. Ginaz: A known friend of our House, they are honorable, skilled fighters who have trained most of the leaders of the Houses of the Landsraad and the Emperor's line. Politically strong, their firm support of our House has made many things possible, though the machinations of House Moritani may threaten to cut off their power at the knees, should they lose the lucrative Basal contract. Harkonnen: A long-time enemy of our House, since the Battle of Corrin they have mostly bore a grudge against the Atreides for our role in winning the battle for the Imperium, after the cowardice of the Harkonnen commander present. Recently, Boris Harkonnen has developed a dialogue with our House, and relations have become less strained, at least visibly. However, without some conflict to help maintain their integrity and to direct their energies, they may become more unstable as time goes on. Moritani: An enigma, House Moritani is currently seeking better relations with our House while building up support in other quarters. Allied with both Harkonnen and Alvstad (nominally), they have gained great wealth and are attempting to get more of it by gaining political influence within both the High Council and the Imperial Court. Internal instability has plagued the House, though the rise of the Contessa Ophelia Moritani may signal a change in their fortunes, as it seeks Imperial favor and influence. They bear VERY careful watching. Rastanyev: Seeking economic power, their relatively loose moral code could be a liability when it comes to building a relation of trust with their House. They are however, very convincing speakers and are possessed of excellent manipulative abilities, but their primary concern is with the raising of their own House. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6. Contact Information --------------------------------------------- If you have questions about or would like to join House Atreides, please send @mail to Margot. Please be sure to read the bulletin board in the Recruiting Lounge (East from the central OOC Room) for a listing of current openings.